Flashing

ABSTRACT

A flashing for sealing about the area of a structural member passing through a partition. A plurality of flashing elements, each having a base portion and an upstanding portion, are used in forming the flashing. The edges of both portions of the flashing elements have sealing flanges formed thereon. These sealing flanges cooperate when the elements are assembled to seal the area about the structural member.

United States Patent 11 1 Bilicki et al. v

1451 Jan. 2, 1973 54] FLASHING [76] Inventors: Stanley A. Billcki, 1150 Lenox, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48013; Rans J. Blondo, 21637 Briarclifl' Drive, St. Clair Shores, Mich. 48042 [22] Filed: Aprll26, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 137,252

[52] US. Cl ..285/42, 285/419, 285/DIG. 16 [5 1] Int. Cl. .l.. ..E04d 13/14 [58] Field of Search...285/42, 43, 44, 373, 419, DIG.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 572,761 12/1896 Lamprecht et a1. ..52/219 X 2,985,465 5/1961 Church. ..285/42 Show 3,254,650 6/1966 Collito ..235 010. 16 3,224,796 12/1965 Burkitt ..285/373 x FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,902,520 8/1970 Gen'nany ..285/DIG. 16 1,449,044 7/1966 France ..285/419 Primary Examiner-Thomas F. Callaghan Attorney-William E. Johnson [5 7] ABSTRACT A flashing for sealing about the area of a structural member passing through a partition. A plurality of flashing elements, each having a base portion and an upstanding portion, are used in forming the flashing. The edges of both portions of the flashing elements have sealing flanges formed thereon. These sealing flanges cooperate when the elements are assembled to seal the area about the structural member.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDm 2 ms FlGul' FIG.

FLASHING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In constructing many building structures, it is sometimes necessary that structural members pass through roofs or partition walls. For example, wheninstalling air conditioning systems on flat roof buildings, it is sometimes necessary for structural supports for the system to pass through the roof to be attached to structural members supporting roof. When such a structural member pass through a roof, it is important to the roofs integrity that a watertight seal be formed about the member.

The prior art has taught that a flashing may be utilized in constructing a sealed joint about a structural member passing through a roof. Some prior art patent in this area are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,406,469; 2,054,308; 2,985,465; and Re 26,026. US. Pat. No. 1,406,469 teaches the use of two semi-circular elements for forming a flashing. US. Pat. Nos. 2,985,465 and Re 26,026 are of interest for their showing of the use of flexible materials for forming a flashing. US. Pat. No. 2,054,308 shows the utilization of a strap for tightening a flashing about an upstanding portion of a structural member.

With this background in mind, it was one purpose of this invention to provide a flashing for sealing about a structural member which is extremely simple to fabricate and use. It was also another purpose of this invention to manufacture a flashing which, when installed about a structural member, seals that structural member in such a manner that water will not leak through the seal at the point where the structural member passes through a roof or a partition wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a flashing and, more particularly, to a flashing for sealing the area about a structural member passing through a partition. In general, the flashing seals about a structural member which has a cross-sectional shape symmetrical about a center axis.

In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the flashing comprises a plurality of identically formed flashing elements which, when assembled, closely enclose the structural member. Each of the flashing elements has an upstanding portion and a'base portion formed integral'with and extending from the upstanding portion. The upstanding portion extends in degrees of arc about the cross-sectional shape of the structural member a distance of 360%: where n is the number of elements forming the flashing. The upstanding portion also hasa cross-sectional configuration corresponding to cross-sectional shape of the portion of the structural member which it closely encloses. The base portion of each flashing element extends outwardly from the upstanding portion of the flashing element. This base portion also extends about the cross-sectional shape of the structural member a distance of 360/n where n in the number of elements forming the flashing. Cooperable flanges are formed on opposite leading edges of both the upstanding portion and the base portion of each flashing element. These flanges are so constructed and arranged that flanges of adjacent flashing elements, placed in side by side relationship about the structural member, form overlapping, sealing joints.

The individual flashing elements may be formed in a plastic molding operation. The elements are formed of a plastic material which can withstand heat and vibration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS teachings of this invention in an assembled condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention is directed to a flashing and, more particularly, to a flashing used to seal a structural member which passes through a partition. In the preferred embodiment, the structural member described will have a circular cross section and the flashing employed therewith will have a similar cross section. However, it is to be understood that the broad teachings of this invention invision the employment of a flashing which can be installed about various configurations of structural members. For example, the structural member may have a square, rectangular or other multi-sided configuration. In such a case, the flashing of this invention may be fitted to the structure by simply changing the cross-sectional configuration of the elements making up the flashing.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 wherein the flashing, generally designated by 10, of this invention is shown in an installed position. The flashing is installed about a structural member 12 having a circular cross section symmetrical about'a-centerline 14. The lower end of the structural member, as viewed in FIG. 1, is attached to an l-beam 16 which has its one end 18 secured to a building wall 20.

The structural member 12 extends from its point of attachment to the beam 16 upwardly through an 'o'pem ing 22 formed in a roof 24 of the building. The upper end of the structural member, as viewed in FIG. 1, supports thereon a piece of machinery 26, such as an'air conditioning unit. The roof may be formed ofa lower roofing material 28 and an upper sealing material 30.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 wherein Y 42 and a base portion 44. In the case of a round structural member, such as the structural member 12, the upstanding portion 42 of the flashing element is semicircular in cross sectionrAs such, an upper edge 46 of each'upstanding portion extends a little more than 180 in arc. The additional extension beyond 180 is only for a distance sufficient to form a sealing lip, which will be described in detail later in this specification. If the cross section of the structural member was square, each of the flashing elements would have a generally U-shaped configuration but would each extend 180 in are about the structural member.

The base portion 44 of each flashing element 40 has a plurality of small openings 48 formed therein. These openings are optional and are provided, if desired, so that fasteners such as nails may be driven therethrough to initially secure the flashing element about the structural member.

The leading edges of both the upstanding portion 42 and the base portion 44 of each flashing element 40 are constructed and arranged in order to be cooperable with identical elements for sealing about the structural member 12. More particularly, as seen best in FIG. 2, the left most flashing element has a lower or inner flange 50 formed on the left most leading edge of both the base portion and the upstanding portion thereof. On the right most edges for the left hand flashing element, an upper or outer flanger52 is formed. It is, of course, realized that the right hand flashing element, as viewed in FIG. 2, will have the lower, inner flange 50 on the far side while the upper or outer flange 52 is on the near side of the drawing.

When the pair of flashing elements 40 are installed about the structural member 12 as shown in FIG. 1, suitable fasteners 54 may be driven through the openings 48 in the base portion 44 in order to tem-' porarily secure the same. when the pair of flashing elements are applied, the edge portions on each flashing element assume the positions that are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 3, when each of these base portions 44 of the flashing elements 40come into contact, the lower flange 50 on the lefthand element is overlied by the upper'flange 52on the right hand element. Thisjwould be the case on the front side of the flashing l as'viewed in FIG. 3. The

back side of the flashing would have the upper flange on the-left hand flashing with the lower flange on the right hand flashing. I v

The upstanding portions 42 of the flashing elements 40 about -the circular cross sectioned structural member 12 would be sealed as shown in FIG. 4. In that flgureIit is shown that the left flashingelement has the upper flange $2 on the upper portion thereof and the inner flange 50 at the bottom. The order is reversed for the right hand side flashing element. When these elements are applied, a sealing material may be applied between the flanges 50, 52 before they are brought together. Such action enhances the sealing characteristics of the flashing elements.

As indicated in FIG. 1, an adjustable strap 56 may be employed with the flashing 10. This adjustable strap can be tightened down to draw the upstanding portions 42 of the flashing elements 40 about the structural member 12. A sealing compound or material may be applied about the structural member prior to the appliation of the flashing element so that a *ight seal is ormed between the inner clrcumferentia one skilled in the art, in view of this specification, thatthe flashing elements may be designed for use in conjunction with structural members of many different configurations. It is intended that the scope of attached claims for this invention be interpreted as including such constructions.

What we claim is:

l. A flashing member for sealing about the area of a structural member passing through a partition, the

structural member having a cross-sectional shape symmetrical about a center axis, said flashing member comprising: a plurality of identically formed, flashing elements which when assembled closely enclose said symmetrical cross section of said'structural member; each of said flashing elements having: an upstanding portion and a base portion formed integral with and extending from said upstanding portion, said upstanding portion having an exterior surface extending in degress of are about said cross-sectional shape of said structural member a distance of 360ln where n is the number of elements forming said flashing member, said upstanding portion also having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the'cross-sectional shape of the portion of said structural member which it closely encloses, said base portion of each of said flashingelements extending outwardly'from said upstanding portion of said flashing elements, said base portion also having an exterior surface extending about said crosssectional shape of said structural member a distance of 360ln where n is the number of elements forming said flashing member; a pair of flanges, a first of said flanges. formed along an outer surface of a first leading edge of both said upstanding'portion and said base portion of each of said flashing elements and a second of said flanges formed along an inner surface of a second leading edge of both said upstanding portion and said base of each of said flashing elements, said first flange form ing and said second flange not forming a portion of said exterior surface of each of said flashing elements whereby adjacent flanges of flashing elements placed in a side by side relationship form overlapping sealing joints; and adjustable strap means for encircling said upstanding portions of said flashing elements to secure said flashing elements about the structural member.

I! t i i l I surface of a the upstanding portions, of the flashing elements and 

1. A flashing member for sealing about the area of a structural member passing through a partition, the structural member having a cross-sectional shape symmetrical about a center axis, said flashing member comprisinG: a plurality of identically formed, flashing elements which when assembled closely enclose said symmetrical cross section of said structural member; each of said flashing elements having: an upstanding portion and a base portion formed integral with and extending from said upstanding portion, said upstanding portion having an exterior surface extending in degress of arc about said cross-sectional shape of said structural member a distance of 360*/n where n is the number of elements forming said flashing member, said upstanding portion also having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the portion of said structural member which it closely encloses, said base portion of each of said flashing elements extending outwardly from said upstanding portion of said flashing elements, said base portion also having an exterior surface extending about said cross-sectional shape of said structural member a distance of 360*/n where n is the number of elements forming said flashing member; a pair of flanges, a first of said flanges formed along an outer surface of a first leading edge of both said upstanding portion and said base portion of each of said flashing elements and a second of said flanges formed along an inner surface of a second leading edge of both said upstanding portion and said base of each of said flashing elements, said first flange forming and said second flange not forming a portion of said exterior surface of each of said flashing elements whereby adjacent flanges of flashing elements placed in a side by side relationship form overlapping sealing joints; and adjustable strap means for encircling said upstanding portions of said flashing elements to secure said flashing elements about the structural member. 